Doug Taylor

BlancheIf We Can’t Trust the Doctors… (V2)When Blanche’s Dan John Miller and Tracee Lee Miller trade lines, it’s a revival of a great old country music device, although when Tracee Lee coos “and I will fuck you until you die” on “Jack on Fire,” intriguing new territory beckons. This Detroit twang emits a gothic aroma, […]

Kelly Joe PhelpsTunesmith Retrofit(Rounder)Soft-spoken, light-fingered Phelps leaves an intricately bare-bones imprint on Tunesmith Retrofit. It may take multiple listens to get past the craft to the emotions. Three Canadians—Chris Gestrin, Jesse Zubot and Steve Dawson—help flesh out the Oregonian’s subtle backing. “The sensible word that hovers and shakes like a hummingbird,” from “Tight to the […]

Amy WinehouseBack to Black(Island)Talk about fast introductions! The first line, first breath is “They tried to make me go to rehab, I said no no no.” Ten seconds in, you know more about this tattooed Brit siren than most of your acquaintances. Further in, on “Me & Mr. Jones,” she demands “What kind of fuckery […]

Blink-182Greatest Hits (Geffen)On this collection, you can trace the San Diego trio’s snotty, relatively thin sound of “Carousel” (1995) grow into the undeniable “What’s My Age Again?” (1999), then become almost too sophisticated to be called punk. A progression out of adolescent selfishness through remorse to sharp insight into the lives of others accompanies the […]

Carolyn Dawn JohnsonDress Rehearsal (Arista)A few years after one of the brightest debuts in memory, Johnson slips a bit further into mainstream country. This might be good for her status in Nashville, but a disappointment for those who found glints of greatness in Room With a View. Still, the Albertan comes up with a few […]

James HunterPeople Gonna Talk(Rounder)Recorded by producer Liam Watson (The White Stripes), People Gonna Talk cannot help sounding 40 years old, yet fresh as tomorrow. Hunter has played with Van Morrison and somehow melds the élan of Sam Cooke with John Hiatt’s wrinkles, and that’s just his singing. His searing, quick turns on guitar support a […]

The MahonesTake No Prisoners(Stumble)The pattern of the Kingston, Ontario, outfit is to rock out Irish-style with exhilarating shows and, every couple of years, spit out an album. They’ve kept it up for 15 years. Even this studio set feels like a live show, meaning distortion is a byproduct of ruckus and two entries are “Nancy […]

RihannaGood Girl Gone Bad(Def Jam)The young Barbadian Rihanna injects herself gamely into every elaborate setup. Samples of Lionel Richie and New Order propel the flirty moves of “Push Up on Me” and hungry dominance of “Shut Up and Drive.” Eight producers, including Jay-Z and Timbaland, shape the eight tracks. It may leave you pondering whether […]

Shemekia CopelandThe Soul TruthAlligatorOn her fourth album, the late Johnny Copeland’s girl stirs up a soul stew with horns, funk and, most importantly, guitarist-producer Steve Cropper. The old Blues Brother and MG harnesses Copeland’s raw Texas fury into a Memphis groove. Occasionally she slips away. A few moments are more Ethel Merman than Etta James, […]

The Rude MechanicalsCheckin’ for Squirrels (independent)You can take the band off PEI, but you can’t take the Island out of the band. Though recorded in Toronto, he Rude Mechanicals maintain a rollicking red-dirt road spirit. “Bill Lynch Girl” deserves a spot in any Maritime medley, even if you must explain who the carnival king is […]